By : Allison Chave

For most residents, culverts are out of sight and out of mind. These underground tunnels and channels quietly direct water beneath our roads, trails and railways, keeping streets pathways dry.

Over the past two decades, our region has seen a dramatic increase in heavy rains. The greater volumes of water often overwhelm drainage systems. When these culverts and other vital passageways can’t handle the flow, water backs up and spills onto roads and embankments, resulting in local flooding and costly damage. Last year’s culvert failure on Bondville Road is an example, closing roads and causing property damage estimated in the millions within the Town of Brome Lake.

Beyond Major Floods: Erosion and Habitat Impacts

But the risks aren’t limited to major floods. Even modest overflows at undersized culverts can erode stream banks, degrade water quality, block habitat routes for fish and other aquatic life, and damage both private and municipal property.

Tempo sat down with Gilbert Arel, general manager of TLB, to talk about the town’s response. He confirmed the town has hired an environmental engineer and set aside funds for more frequent inspections of existing culverts and climate-ready replacements.

Next-Generation Culverts

The next generation of culverts—costing up to $100,000 each—are designed with greater capacity, more durable materials and improved hydraulic properties to handle extreme weather and safeguard local ecosystems. Innovations such as open-bottom arch and stream-simulation designs are on the table, promising not just better flood management and decreased maintenance costs, but also improved conditions for wildlife.

As communities across Quebec face the realities of climate change, the culvert plays a bigger role than anyone might expect. With proactive investment and smart design, TBL is working to ensure that the next storm doesn’t catch us off guard.